Bills place DiMarco on season-ending IR, cut 2 linebackers

Updated Sep. 4, 2020 5:42 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Veteran fullback Patrick DiMarco's season with the Bills is over after the team placed him on injured reserve, and Buffalo also released linebackers Vosean Joseph and Corey Thompson.

The Bills also activated tight end Tommy Sweeney from the physically unable to perform list in a series of moves made Friday, a day before NFL teams are required to cut their rosters to 53 players.

DiMarco missed much of the past two weeks with a neck injury. That led to the Bills converting undrafted rookie tight end Reggie Gilliam to fullback.

Under NFL rules, DiMarco's season is over in Buffalo because he was placed on IR before making the team's 53-player roster. He will have the option to seek his release by reaching an injury settlement with the team once he is cleared to play.

DiMarco is a 10-year veteran who spent the past three seasons in Buffalo and was entering the final year of his contract. He was valued for his leadership while his playing time decreased.

Joseph was Buffalo’s fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft but missed his rookie season after having shoulder surgery. Thompson was an undrafted free agent who appeared in 18 games over the past two seasons in Buffalo.

Sweeney had been sidelined with a foot injury since the Bills opened training camp in late July.

The moves leave Buffalo with a 78-player roster. The Bills open the season by hosting the New York Jets on Sept. 13.

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